Disposable dental applicator

ABSTRACT

An applicator principally for use in the dental profession, for the placement of different materials in a post hole as may be required. The applicator includes an elongated handle having an applicating end portion formed as a brush and/or a flocked applicating end portion. The flock may extend from the distal end a predetermined longitudinal distance over an extended portion. The applicator is also provided with a hinging arrangement adjacent the opposed applicating end portions whereby the applicating end portions may be angularly bent relative to the elongated handle at the option of the user.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/640,773,filed Aug. 14, 2003, which is a continuation application of applicationSer. No. 09/549,362, filed Apr. 14, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,051which is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No.08/934,983 filed Sep. 22, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,049,934, and acontinuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 09/517,549filed Mar. 2, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,792, all of which are hereinincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to disposable applicators for applyingvarious materials, and more specifically to a double ended disposabledental applicator having either a double ended brush applicating end, ora double ended flocked applicating end, or having a flocked applicatoron one end and a brush applicator on the other end.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Applicators such as brushes, foam pads, cotton swabs or otherapplicators, are used to apply a variety of materials in manyapplications. Such applicators are of particular use in dentistry forapplying various dental materials. Due to the risk ofcross-contamination, it is desirable to use an applicator only once,after which the applicator is discarded. As a result, it is necessary toproduce an applicator that is efficient and easy to handle and at a lowcost. A disposable dental brush is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,495issuing to Discko et al on Sep. 29, 1992, entitled “Disposable DentalBrush”, which is also herein incorporated by reference. Thereindisclosed is a disposable dental brush for applying various dentalmaterials that includes an elongated handle having a tuft of bristlesconstructed so as to allow the portion thereof adjacent to the brush endto be readily bent so as to angularly dispose the brush end relative tothe longitudinal axis of the handle. Also disclosed therein is a brushend comprising a relatively short tubular holder or sleeve which has abore extending therethrough such that the brush end is detachablyconnected to the free end of a handle by a frictional retention in thetubular brush holder. The dentist may use this construction as a singleended dental brush or alternatively, as a double ended brush, whichallows the dentist to use the same brush for working with and applyingdifferent materials to a patient's teeth. Upon completion of a givenprocedure, the brush end or ends are rendered readily disposable. Whilethis brush configuration has been adequate, it is not without someinconveniences. For example, the brush end that attaches to the handleis relatively small and difficult to manipulate and place on the handle.This is especially difficult when a dentist is wearing gloves.Additionally, the short brush portion results in the attached handlesometimes being inserted into the patient's mouth. This compromises theuse of the attached handle portion in that it must be disinfected.Therefore, there is a need for an improved disposable applicator that iseasy to handle, is inexpensive to manufacture, and produces less waste.

Applicators having a flocked end portion are also known as disclosed inGerman Patent DE 39 37 030 C2. However, it has been observed that due tothe limited amount of surface area located at the end of the applicatorhandle, the amount of flocking fibers that would normally adhere theretoutilizing the teaching of said German patent was quite limited. As aresult, the flocked end of the applicator, being sparsely flocked, wascapable of holding only a minimum amount of material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of this invention is to provide a double ended applicatorhaving a frangible portion disposed intermediately of the applicator toprovide for a positive and simple frangible point to effect separate andindependent use of the respective applicating end portions, if desired.

Another object is to provide for a simple and inexpensive applicatorhaving a handle with a brush applicating end portion on one end of thehandle and a flocked applicating end portion on the other end of thehandle with a frangible portion disposed intermediately of therespective ends of the handle.

Another object is to provide an applicator having an end portion formedof various shapes to enhance a more uniform distribution of flockingmaterial to the end portion of a handle.

Another object is to provide an applicator having an end portion formedto catch and hold a suitable adhesive to effect a more densedistribution of the flocking material to the end portion of theapplicator.

Another object is to provide an applicator having an end portion withenhanced surface area so as to catch and hold the adhesive appliedthereto and thereby creating a more favorable environment for effectinga more uniform and dense distribution of the flocking material thereto.

The foregoing objects and other features and advantages are attained byan applicator having an elongated handle with one end formed forreceiving a tuft of bristles to define a brush applicating end andhaving its other end shaped to maximize the surface area thereof foreffecting a more dense and uniform distribution of the flocking materialthereto. Also, the applicator of this invention may be provided with ahandle formed with a tufted brush at each end thereof, or with a flockedapplicating end at each end thereof. With such double ended applicator,there is also provided intermediate the opposed ends of the handle afrangible portion defined as a V-shaped groove circumscribing the handleso as to facilitate the severing of the handle at the defined frangibleportion to render the integrally formed double ended applicator into twoseparate and distinct single ended applicator. One or both ends of theapplicator may be provided with an applicator formed of a tuft ofbristles to define a brush end or may be coated with a flocking materialto define a flocked end. The opposed end portions of the handle adjacentthe respective applicating ends are formed so that the applicating endportions or end applicators may be readily bent at an angle relative tothe longitudinal axis of the handle.

In accordance with this invention, the applicating end portion of thehandle receiving the flocking material is formed so that the surfacearea thereof is enhanced either by forming the applicating end portionwith one or more grooves to increase the surface area thereat, or theapplicating end portion may be provided with a series of dimples ordepressions to increase the surface area thereof. This arrangementfunctions to catch and hold the applied adhesive to form a mechanicalbond and to which the flocking material can be more uniformly adhered toprovide for a more densely flocked applicating end portion capable ofretaining a greater amount of material to be applied to a tooth or othersurface.

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an applicator embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the applicating end of the applicator ofFIG. 1, without the flocking material adhered thereto.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 on FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 on FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the frangible portion of theapplicator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed end view of a modified applicator endportion without the flocking material adhered thereto.

FIG. 7 is a detail side view of a modified applicator end of the presentinvention with the flocking material removed.

FIG. 8 is a modified embodiment of a double ended applicator.

FIG. 9 is another modified embodiment of a double ended applicator.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side view of still another embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating one type of use of the applicator ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view of another modified embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an partial elevational view of another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 one embodiment ofthe invention. As shown, the applicator 10 includes an elongated handle11 having opposed applicating end portions 16 and 18 and a frangiblemeans in the form of a circumscribing groove 28 disposed intermediatethe opposed ends 16 and 18. The arrangement is such that the elongatedhandle 11 includes handle sections 12 and 14 which are connected by thefrangible means or groove 28.

In the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1, the opposedapplicating end portions or end applicators 16 and 18 are similarlyconstructed. As shown, the opposed free ends 20 of the elongated handle11 are each provided with a pair of spaced apart reduced portions 22, 24with an enlarged flange or knob 26 disposed therebetween. Thearrangement is such that the free ends 20 may be angularly bent relativeto the longitudinal axis of the handle 11 at the reduced portion 22 or24 to dispose the free end 20 at a desired operating angle relative tothe axis of the handle, as noted by the phantom showing in FIG. 1.Preferably, the handle 11 is formed of a suitable plastic materialcapable of maintaining the free ends 20 in a desired bent position, whenbent. A suitable plastic for fabricating the handle 11 may be comprisedof preferably polypropylene, but can also be made of polystyrene,polyethylene, nylon, and the like. The selected plastic material shouldbe selected so as to be compatible with any anticipated material beingapplied by the applicator. Thus, the reduced portions 22, 24 function asa hinge about which the free ends 20 may be angularly disposed.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the opposed applicating end portionterminates at a tip end 25, which may be generally spherical orelliptical in shape. Adhesively secured to the tip ends 25 are aplurality of flocking fibers 27 which project radially outwardly of thetip end to define the means for containing the dental material to beapplied to a tooth. Flocking fibers are minute fibers generally formedof a suitable plastic, e.g. nylon fibers, which are adhered to therespective tip ends 25 by a suitable adhesive.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged showing of the tip end 25 without the attachedflocking fibers. As shown, the tip end 25 is generally ellipsoidal inshape having an upper elliptical dome 25A and a lower base 25B which isintegrally formed to the adjacent free end 20 of applicator 10.Intermediate the base 25B and the dome 25A, there is provided acircumscribing groove 25C. To secure the flocking fibers to the tip end25, the tip end is first coated with a layer of adhesive. The groove 25Caids in mechanically bonding the layer of adhesive to the tip end. Withthe tip end 25 coated with the suitable adhesive, the minute flockingfibers are applied by electrostatically charging the flocking fiberswith a polarity opposite to that applied to the tip end 25. Thus, theminute fibers are attracted to and adhered to the tip end 25.

Disposed intermediate the opposed ends 20, the handle is provided with afrangible means which is illustrated as a V-shaped groove 28circumscribing the outer periphery of the surface of handle 11.Preferably, the sides of the V-shaped grooves define therebetween anangle which approximates a 90° angle. It is to be noted that V-groove 28enables one to effectively sever the handle 11, when desired, toseparate handle section 12 from handle section 14. Thus, the user hasthe option of using the applicator 10 as a single applicator havingopposed applicating end portions or, in the alternative, as two separateand distinct applicators, each having a single applicating end portion.

In order to distinguish one applicator section, e.g. section 12 fromapplicator section 14, the respective sections 12, 14 may be formed witha different cross-section shape which one may distinguish by touch. Forexample, handle section 12 may be formed with a round or circularcross-section as noted in FIG. 3. Handle section 14 may be formed with aseries of longitudinally extending flutes 34, as best seen in FIG. 4.Thus, if one is applying two different types of materials during a givendental procedure, the dentist can use one applicator section forapplying one material, and the other applicator section for applying adifferent material. Thus, by feel, the dentist can know which applicatorsection is being used for a given material.

The V-shaped groove 28 defining the angle therebetween enables one tobreak the handle 11 at the frangible point with a clean break with aminimum of ease, when so desired. As the dentist is normally wearinglatex gloves, it is imperative that any severance of handle 11 be madewith a clean break which leaves no sharp edges or splinters that maypuncture the dentist's protective gloves. The V-shaped groove 28circumscribing the handle defining the included angle therebetweenenables such a clean break.

As the minute flocking fibers are applied to the tip end of the handle11 by means of an electrostatical charge, the flocking fibers areattracted to the oppositely charged handle so that the fibers arenormally disposed, i.e. that they radiate outwardly at right angle tothe surface of the tip end 25.

While the embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrates a double ended applicator 10having opposed ends flocked with minute flocking fibers, a double endedapplicator may be provided with a brush formed by a tuft of elongatedbristles to define a brush end. Reference is made to FIG. 9 illustratinga double ended applicator 10A, which comprises an elongated handle 30having disposed intermediate the ends thereof a frangible portiondefined by a V-shaped groove 31 similar to that hereinbefore described.Thus, the elongated handle 30 comprises a first section 30A and a secondsection 30B.

In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 9, the opposed ends of thehandle 30 is provided with a bore 32 in which a tuft of bristles 33 issuitably secured to define a brush end. The respective opposed ends aresimilarly formed. Adjacent the respective opposed ends, the handle isprovided with a reduce or crimped portion 34 to function as a livinghinge about which the brush end may be bent at an angle relative to thecentral axis of handle 30. In all other respects, the handle 30 issimilar to the handle 11 of FIG. 1.

In use, it will be understood that a dentist is thus provided with theoption of utilizing applicator 10A as a single applicator having opposedbrush ends which may be used for applying two different materials duringa given dental procedure. Or, in the alternative, the dentist mayreadily separate the respective handle sections 30A and 30B at thefrangible portion 31 if only one material is required to be applied in agiven procedure, or to use the individual sections 30A, 30B to apply twodifferent materials in a different time sequence. Thus, the double endapplicators described herein provides the dentist with a number ofoptions and conveniences not possible with the known brush typeapplicators and at a more economical cost.

FIG. 8 illustrates another modified embodiment. The applicator 10B ofFIG. 8 comprises an elongated handle 40 having a frangible portion 41,similar to that hereinbefore described, to define a first handle section40A and a handle section 40B. However, in this form of the invention,one end is provided with a brush end 42 and the other end with a flockedend 43. The brush end 42 is formed identically as described in theembodiment of FIG. 9 and the flocked end 43 is similar to the flockedend described in the embodiment of FIG. 1. Handle section 40A isprovided with a reduced portion 44 to function as a hinge about whichthe brush end 42 may be bent relative to the axis of the handle.Likewise, handle section 40B is provided with reduced portions 45, 46similar to that previously described, about which the flocked end 43 maybe bent. In this form of the invention, the user has the convenience ofusing either the brush end 42 or the flocked end 43 for applying a givenmaterial in a given manner, as may be required. In all other respects,the construction and function of applicator 10B is similar to thathereinbefore described.

FIG. 10 illustrates a fragmentary portion of a modified double endedapplicator 10C. It will be understood that applicator 10C is a doubleended applicator having a frangible portion 41A similar to thatdescribed with respect to FIG. 1. Applicator 10C includes a handlesection 50B which terminates at its free end in an elongated stem 51which is sized so as to be inserted into a root canal or post-hole 52 ofa tooth 53 to be restored, as best seen in FIG. 11. It will be notedthat the stem 51 is connected to the handle section 50B by a reduced web54 which functions as a hinge about which the stem 51 may be angularlybent relative to the handle section 50B, as seen in FIG. 11.

In this form of the invention, the stem 51 is coated throughout a majorportion of its length with minute flocking fibers 55. The flockingfibers are adhesively secured to the stem 51 and extend radiallyoutwardly of the stem about the entire circumference thereof.

With the construction 10C described, the elongated flocked stem 51 isparticularly suitable to cleaning out the post-holes and/or root canals.Also, the flocked stem 51 is useful in the placing of dental fluids suchas etch, bonding material, cements and the like into hard to reach areaslike post-holes or root canals. The construction of the applicator 10Cin FIG. 10 can also function to place medication into a tooth beingtreated during a root canal therapy or for the placement of medicamentsinto periodontal pockets.

For the patient, the applicator 10C may be useful for cleaning underdental bridgework, dental implants, periodontal pockets, for delivery ofmedication such as Peridex or Listerine into periodontal pockets, andmay also be used as an interproximal simulator.

It will be understood that the other end (not shown) of the double endedapplicator 10C may be constructed similar to the end constructiondescribed with respect to FIG. 10 or in the alternative, may be formedwith a brush applicator end as hereinbefore described, or with any ofthe flocked applicator ends herein described. In all other respects, theapplicator 10C is similar in operation and construction to the otherdescribed embodiment.

It will therefore be apparent that the application 10C can beprofessionally used by the dentist and also by the patient for continuedhome care to insure and maintain better oral health.

FIG. 6 is directed to an enlarged detail view of modified applicatingend 116, without the flocking fibers attached, which may be embodied inthe double ended applicators described herein. As shown, the free end120 of a double ended applicator 10D is provided with a spheriodalsurface 130 having a series of concentric slots 132 formed therein. Theslots 132 function to provide a mechanical bond of the adhesive (notshown) which is applied to the tip end and also serves to increase thesurface area of the applicating end 116, to which the flocking fibersadhere to provide for a more dense population of adhered flockingfibers, for retaining a greater supply of material to be applied to atooth. The tip end 120 is hingedly connected to the handle section 112by means of a reduced area or web 122, 124 in a manner hereinbeforedescribed.

The primary requirement of a flocked applicator as described herein isthat it be small and still be capable of holding an adequate amount ofmaterial to perform the desired procedure. As will be described herein,the flocked applicators embody a construction to provide for anincreased surface area for receiving the flocking fibers. As the flockedapplicators described with respect to FIG. 6 is quite small, theportions defining the slots are flexible and will tend to flex,rendering it more gentle when pressed or rubbed against any soft ortender tissue as may be encountered in a given dental procedure.

Referring to FIG. 7, the free end 140 of an applicator 10E, illustratedwithout the flocking fibers adhered thereto, is formed generallyellipsoidal, having formed on the surface thereof a series ofdepressions or cavities 141 which are capable of forming a mechanicalbond with the adhesive coating (not shown) applied thereto. Thearrangement is such that when the flocking fibers are applied to theadhesively coated end 140 by the electrostatic method herein described,the fibers will radially adhere to the exposed surfaces which are bothconcave in part and convex in part, the cavities 141 defining theconcave surfaces. As the arrangement provides for a greater exposedsurface area, more flocking fibers will be adhered to the exposedsurfaces to define a more dense population of flocking fibers extendingoutwardly in a radial direction over the entire exposed surface. The tipend 140 is hingedly connected to handle section 142 of applicator 10E byreduced portions or webs 143, 144 similar to that hereinbeforedescribed. In all other respects, the structure and function is similarto that hereinbefore described.

FIG. 12 illustrates another modified embodiment of an applicator endportion for use in a double ended applicator 10F. The end applicatorportion 150 of FIG. 12 comprises a stem 151 having integrally formedthereon a helical plane 152 which coils about the stem 151. It will beunderstood that the individual coils of the helical plane 152 have adiameter that may be either equal or different from one another, with apitch which may be the same or varied over the length thereof. In thisform of the invention, the helical plane 152 is coated with a suitableadhesive, to which the flocking fibers are adhered or applied by theelectrostatic process herein described. It will be noted that thehelical plane 152 provides for an enhanced surface area to which theflocking fibers adhere in a pattern and arrangement to absorb and holdlarger amounts of a dental material to be applied.

As shown in FIG. 12, the applicating end portion 150 is hingedlyconnected to the handle section 153 by reduced webs 154, 152 similar tothat hereinbefore described.

In all other respects, the applicator 10E is similar to thathereinbefore described.

FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment applicator 216 has a hemispherical portion 230 and a conicalportion 231. Line 232 separates the hemispherical portion 230 and theconical portion 231. Neck 220 connects the conical portion 231 to thehandle 242. In other respects the applicator is similar to the otherembodiments illustrated. The hemispherical portion 230 provides goodadhesive retention and resulting flocking at the distal end, while theconical section 231 provides adhesive to the hemispherical portion froman area that may not need the same degree of flocking as the distal end.

From the foregoing description, it will be noted that the double endedapplicators provide the dentist with a number of options not previouslyavailable in applying various dental materials to a tooth by the use ofa single applicator in applying two different materials, as is commonlythe case. Also, the applicator may be provided with commonly constructedapplicating end portions or may have differently constructed applicatingend portions, depending upon a given procedure.

While the described embodiments of this invention have particularapplication in the field of dentistry, the applicators may also haveutility in certain industrial applications where precision is requiredand/or in certain crafts and hobby related work.

While the present invention has been described with respect toparticular embodiments, modifications and variations may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of this invention.

1. A method of cleaning and applying a dental material to a posthole orroot canal in a tooth comprising the steps of: placing the dentalmaterial on an elongated stem coated with flock and sized so as to beinserted into the posthole or root canal, the elongated stem attached toa handle; and inserting the elongated stem into the posthole or rootcanal, the elongated stem having flock extending along a substantiallongitudinal distance of the elongated stem at least as long as thedepth of the posthole or root canal; and removing the elongated stemfrom the posthole or root canal, whereby a material is capable of beingapplied to the posthole or root canal.
 2. A method of cleaning andapplying a dental material as in claim 1 wherein: the dental material isselected from the group consisting of etch, bonding material, andcement.
 3. A method of cleaning and applying a dental material to aposthole or root canal in a tooth comprising the steps of: placing thedental material on an elongated stem coated with flock and sized so asto be inserted into the posthole or root canal, the elongated stemattached to a handle with an integrally formed hinge permitting theelongated step to be optionally bent at an angle relative to the handle;and inserting the elongated stem into the posthole or root canal, theelongated stem having flock extending along a substantial longitudinaldistance of the elongated stem; and removing the elongated stem from theposthole or root canal, whereby a material is capable of being appliedto the posthole or root canal.
 4. A method of cleaning and applying adental material to a posthole or root canal in a tooth as in claim 3wherein: the substantial longitudinal distance is at least as long asthe depth of the posthole or root canal.
 5. A method of cleaning andapplying a dental material to a posthole or root canal in a tooth as inclaim 3 wherein: the dental material is selected from the groupconsisting of etch, bonding material, and cement.
 6. A method ofcleaning dental work and creating interproximal stimulation in a mouthcomprising the step of: placing and moving under and interproximaldental work an elongated flocked stem on an end of a handle, whereby themouth and dental work is cleaned and stimulated.